Page 694 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

150 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

Part VII.—BEPORT ON THE TRADE OF THE BAHREIN ISLANDS
FOR THE TEAR 1904.
The trade of Bahrein during the past year has maintained the improYed
position arrived at in the preceding year under most adverse conditions.
An epidemic of cholera raged throughout the Islands betweon May and
September, from which over 6,000 deaths are estimated to have resulted.
A large number of the inhabitants fled to other parts of the Gulf at the
commencement of the outbreak and precautionary measures, varying in degree
of severity, were adopted in the Arab and Persian ports against imports from
Bahrein.
During the first four months of the year an embargo imposed by the Persian
Customs authorities against the exportation of cattle was also felt severely here,
as dates are the only staple of food which has not to be imported.
On the other hand, the take of pearls has been good, and the date crop was
very satisfactory.
Messrs. Gray, Paul & Co., of London and Bushire, have opened a new
branch here, their agent, Mr. B. S. Milborrow, having commenced operations
in April 1904.
The business of several Persian merchants from Bushire is also said to be
increasing rapidly, to the detriment to some extent of the Bindu traders who
have for so many years been established in Manama and Moharrag.
The German firm of Herr Robert Wonckbaus of Lingah and Bahrein was
busy throughout the year, and it is believed that they contemplate opening
another agency in Bushire at once.
The demand for cotton textiles in Bassa is still increasing. This accounts
for the large export of this material from Bahrein.
The imports of rice were slightly less than in 1903. Stocks, however, at
the end of the year were large. The closer supervision exercised by tho
Persian Customs authorities on small villages now, and the fact that Koweit
has commenced to be served regularly by Reamers of the British India Steam
Navigation Company from India are having an injurious effect upon the transit
trade of Bahrein generally, and in this commodity in particular.
Of coffee the quantity imported was much smaller than usual until the
latter part of the year, when high prices in European markets showed signs of
being maintained, merchants exhibited no inch natron to order ahead large
quantities, but held off in the hope of a drop in prices. Consequently only
sufficient for requirements at the close of the pearl-fishing season was imported.
Stocks on hand at the close of the year were but «mall
The impart of dates from Arab coast ports was considerably in of
past years. It is estimated that 10,000 cwt?. were on hand on 31st December,
awaiting shipment to Egypt, Jeddah, and other Red Sea ports. The explana­
tion is that the caravan route beyond Bassa to the Red Sea is believed to be
particularly unsafe this year.
The season’s pearl-fishing proyed exceptionally good. Merchants, however,
had incurred, considerable losses on their previous season’s speculations, and there
has been a largo accumulation of unsold pearls, very many having been returned
from Bombay by the broken.
Divers, therefore, found it a difficult matter to realize the prioes they
demanded. A reported improvement, however, in the Indian and European
markets has ultimately led buyers being forthcoming at prioes which leave
the divers a fair margin of profit
Shell exports continued on a fair scale, although not so large as in DEIS*
the prioes ruling in the European markets not offering sufficient inducement to
shippers to pack and send forward: about €00 tons ait bring held.